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Charity in Judaism

in Encyclopaedia of Judaism Online
Author:
Alan J. Avery-Peck
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The charitable donation of money, goods, or services to the needy is understood in both secular and religious cultures to be a free tribute, given out of the liberality of one person to help in the support of another. People accordingly associate charity with generosity and comprehend it primarily to be an act of free will, in which one individual makes a personal decision to help another who is in need. Judaism, especially in modern times, comparably, recognizes the personal choices involved in decisions regarding when to give, how much to give, and to whom to give. Referring to charity by the Hebrew word Tzedakah (“righteousness”) as well as by the term Gemilut Hasadim (“the bestowing of kindness”), Judaism acknowledges the free will aspect of charity and the extent to which it represents a special act of human kindness. At the same time, at its foundation, Judaism views supporting the needy to be a duty imposed upon each person under the terms of the covenant with God. Unlike secular notions that see in charity only an act of individual free will, under Jewish law, individuals are obligated to provide for the needy. By legislating a system of social welfare run by the community, Jewish law dictates standards of support and assures that individuals and communities will provide for the basic needs of all members of society.
Title:
Charity in Judaism
Encyclopaedia of Judaism Online
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/1872-9029_EJ_COM_0027
Language:
English
Source Editors:
Alan J. Avery-Peck
First-online:
26 Oct 2006
ISSN:
1872-9029
Publisher:
Brill

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